Understanding eCommDirect for TDCJ: Quarterly Limits, Fees, and Purchase Rules
Sending an online package through TDCJ can feel confusing at first—quarterly limits, extra fees, and timing rules all come into play. Here's how eCommDirect works and what you need to know before placing an order.
eCommDirect is TDCJ's only approved online package program for people in custody. If you want to send items through an online vendor, this is the one that works - so it's where you'll want to focus when planning what to send.
Spending limits are set by calendar quarter, not by individual order. January through March caps out at $70. Same for April through June and July through September - $70 each. October through December is different: the limit bumps up to $95 to accommodate holiday purchases. That extra room at year's end can help if you want to send more, but keep track of which quarter you're in before checking out.
Note: October–December has a higher eCommDirect quarterly limit: up to $95 (holiday spend), compared with the standard $70 in the other quarters.
Every eCommDirect order comes with a $3.75 transaction fee. Splitting your quarterly budget across multiple small orders means paying that fee each time - so fewer, larger orders save money.
Deposits have a different fee structure: $2.50 plus 2.25% of the deposit amount. The percentage means fees climb as your deposit grows, so run the numbers before you finalize.
Reminder: Only one eCommDirect purchase per inmate may be completed per day.
Timing matters for new arrivals. Someone just received into TDCJ can't get eCommDirect purchases until the next calendar quarter after their entry. You may need to wait for the quarter to turn before an order goes through.
Find an Inmate at Telford Unit
Search for a loved one and send messages and photos in minutes.
